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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. B. SHANNON.

GAMB 0F PRAGTIONS.

Patented Jan. 6, 1885..

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' P. B. S'HA'NNUNI GAME 0F PRAGTIONS.

No. 310,325 Patented Jan. 6,1885.

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FANXY B. SHANNON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

GAMEOF FRACTiONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,325, dated January6, 1885.

Application filed April 10, 1684. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, z5 may concern,.-

Be it known that I, FANNY B. SHANNON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game of Fractions,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings.

My inventioirrclates to improvements in game apparatus iu which a systemof blocks representing integral units and fractional units are combinedwith numeral cube blocks or dice and a game-board 5 and the objects ofmy invention are to provide a means by which amusement is combined withinstructions in the relative size of 'integral units with fractionalunits, and to familiarize the minds of pupils with different colors.These objects I attain by means of the device illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which-Figure l is a plan view of the game-board A, Fig. 2, an outside View ofthe one-half of the case, Fig. 3, au inside view of case, showingdice-box and receptacle for the numeral cube blocks and the integral andfractional unit-blocks. Figs. 4 and 5 are the numeral cube blocks ordice; Fig. G, a detail view of the integral unit block l, and thefractional unit blocks to T15; Fig. 7, a representation of thegame-board A, having a portion of the f'ractional unit blocks arrangedthereon.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

A in the drawings refers to a box or case made in two equal parts, andhinged together at a, forming a suitable receptacle for a dicebox andthe numeral cube blocks and the integral unit and fractional unit blocksused in the game. The two outside surfaces of the case,when opened, asshown in Figs. l and 7, form a game-board upon which to arrange theintegral unit and fractional unit blocks. Upon the surface of the boardAis marked off unitspaces B, as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 7, which are ofthe same width and length of the unit-block 1. (Shown in Fig. 6.) Theunitblock l constitutes the base of measurement or value,which,forconvenience, I prefer to make in length about iive times that of itsthickness, and should be colored or painted, and

have the figure l expressed on the several sides thereof, and whenplaced upon one of the unitspaces B covers the same entire. rlwofractional unit blocks equal in width and breadth that of theunit-blocks l, and being each one-half its length, represent halves,which should be a different color from that of the unit-block l, andshould have expressed on the different sides thereof. rlhe same placedupon one of the unitspaces B, end to end, covers the same entire, and isequal in proportion and value that of the unit-block 1. Three fractionalunit blocks equal in width and breadth to that of the unit-block l, andbeing each one-third the length of the same, represent thirds, whichshould be a different color from that of the unit-block l and of thehalves, and should have expressed upon the different sides thereof. Thesame placed end to end upon one of the unit-spaces B cover the sameentire, and is equal in proportion and value that of the unit-bloei; l.Four frac,- tional unit blocks equal in width and breadth that of theunit-blocks l, and, being each one-fourth the length of the same,represent fourths, which should bc different in color from the units,the halves, andthe thirds, and should have 3cexpressed on the differentsides thereof. The same placed end to end upon one of the unit-spaces Bcover the same entire, and

is equal in proportion and value that. of the unit-block l. Five blocks,of a different color from the preceding ones, having expressed ou thedifferent sides thereof, each represents one-fth, the five of whichrepresents a unit, and cover one of the unitspaces, and is theequivalent of the unit-blocl l. Six blocks, of a different color fromthe preceding mentioned blocks, having expressed on the several sidesthereof, each represent one-sixth of the unit, six of which cover one ofthe unit-spaces B,and is equal in size and value that of the unit-blockl. In like manner the one-seventh, the oneeighth, the one-ninth, theone-tenth, the oneeleventh, and the one-twelfth, respectively, are equalto the unit-block, and cover one of the unit-spaces, their respectivefractional values heilig expressed thereon, as well as beingdistinguished by each being made a different color, the entire number ofblocks represented being seventy-seven fractional and one integral unit.The one integral and the roo '.ent denominations or values of thefractional and the unit-blocks are distinguished from eachother by thedifference in the sizes, by the figures marked or expressed thereon7 andby having the unit-block l painted one color, the halves painted adifferent color, and the thirds to the twelfths each a different color.By this arrangement the pupil becomes simultaneously familiar withdifferent colors, with the different values and sizes of fractionalunits relative to a unit, and to the different characters or figuresused to represent the size or value of fractional parts. rlhe unit andfractional unit blocks used in conjunction with the board A, the numeralcube blocks a and at', and the dice-box d form an interesting andinstructive game. rIhe numeral cube block a has the fractional numbers1,-, ,15, -l-l, and l expressed on the six plain surfaces thereof. Thenumeral cube block at' has the fractional numbers 1,-, and 11T, and theunit number l expressed on the six plain surfaces thereof, as will beseen by reference to the drawings. The figures expressed on thedifferent squares of the cube blocks c and ai correspond with thoseexpressed on the unit-block l and the frac- The game may consist ofcasting the cube blocks a and a? in the same manner as is customary incasting dice from a box, and at each throw of the cubes or dice placethe unit or fractional blocks on the spaces B of the board A, continuing.the same until the spaces are all covered with t-he blocks, after whichthe blocks may be removed from the board as the cubes or dice are east.Two persons may play, to determine the number of times the cubes or dicehave to be cast in order to play the entire number of blocks onto oro'ff the board, the person casting the cubes or dice the least number oftimes to be the winner of the game. In the manufacture of the blockswood or other suitable material may be used. The unit-block l is thestandard of size or value, maybe painted any desirable color, and shouldhave the lign re l painted, printed, or engraved on the several sidesthereof. The fractional unit blocks should be made of like material ofthat from which the unit-block l is made, a-nd each denomination coloreddifferent from each other and from the unit-block, and have theircorresponding values expressed on the several sides thereof, as beforedescribed. rlhe cube blocks or dice a and a2 should be made of ivory,bone, wood, or other suitable substance, and should have the figure lengraved on one of the squares of a2, and the fractional numbers and lon the remaining five squares thereof. The cube block a. should have thefractional numbers -f-, $5-, lg, and l engraved on the six squaresthereof.

The box or caseA should be madein two equal parts, and hinged togetherin such a manner as to form a game-board of the outside surfaces whenopened. The inside of the box should be provided with a partition, c, asufficient distance from one end thereof to admit of the dice-box andthe numeral cubes or dice being contained therein. rlhe box should be asufcient depth to admit of the unit-block l and the numeral cube-blocksbeing placed therein.

I being aware of the general use of diceboxes do not claim itas new; butthe particular form of the box or case being made of a Wsuitable size,and being suitably divided to form separate receptacles for the unit andfractional unit blocks and for the dice-box and numeral cube blocks aand a2, and having the outside surface painted, inlaid, or suitablymarked to form unit-spaces B thereon. The arrangement ofthe unit andfractional blocks ofthe different proportional sizes, each size beingofa different color, and having expressed on each block its relativevalue to the unit-block, with the numeral cubes or dice havingcorresponding values engraved or stamped on the several squares, forminga game of amusement, and at the same time familiarizing the minds of theplayers with relative sizes of fractions to a unit, to different colors,and with the various figures or characters used to express fractions, iswhat constitutes my improvements.

Having thus fully described the construction of the parts constitutingthe game, and the manner of playing the same, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. The combination hereinbefore described, consisting, substantially, ofnumeral blocks or dice having fractional numbers marked thereon, agame-board having spaces designated thereon', as set forth, and blocksrepresenting units and fractional parts of a unit, all operatingtogether as described, and for the purpose set forth.`

2. The combination,with a game-board having spaces marked thereon, asdescribed, of blocks of wood or equivalent material representing unitsand fractional parts of units, the blocks or dice having fractionalnumbers designated thereon by figures, and the dice-box, all operatingtogether, as set forth, whereby a game may be played in which theplayers may become familiar with relative sizes and fractional numbers,as described, and by the means set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

F; NNY B. SHANNON.

lVitnesses;

A. J. OBRIEN, J. L. Mnrcarrn.

TOO

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